If you know a little bit about ecology, interdependence is a familiar idea. Everything––plant, animal, water, insect, bacteria––is mutually reliant on other organisms in the ecosystem. No species exists in a vacuum, and change for one affects all. The reality of interdependence means that even seemingly small changes can have gigantic effects, for better or...
The term “invasive species” can stir up sinister imagery and vaguely unsettling feelings. But what are invasive species, exactly? What do they mean for your local landscape? What can we learn from them? How can backyard gardeners avoid causing harm, and help foster healthier ecosystems? WHAT ARE INVASIVE SPECIES? According to Merriam Webster, invasives are...
In early spring, water abounds. Melting snow, dripping icicles, and rainstorms turn what was recently solid ground into a muddy sponge. Here at Nature Works Land Care, we welcome the wet season and all it brings. But muck and runoff can be costly––even dangerous––when not managed properly. WHAT IS WATER MANAGEMENT? On a municipal level,...
It’s leaf-peeping season and nature’s multicolored masterpiece does not disappoint! Along with fiery vistas, ombre palettes, and pumpkin-spice beverages comes a plethora of newly fallen leaves. The annual conundrum has arrived: to rake or not to rake? THE CASE FOR CLEANING UP Blowing or raking the leaves away now looks tidy and keeps the...
So you’ve decided to create an outdoor gathering space? Wahoo! What better way to celebrate the landscape than by spending time in your yard? Now what? There’s lots to consider when setting up your plein-air retreat, but don’t worry; we’ve come up with a list of things to keep in mind while planning,...
Protecting the environment is a big job. Really big. Actually, it feels a bit overwhelming sometimes, doesn’t it? The key is to simplify. It doesn’t take much to make a difference. Just a few select tweaks and shifts can ripple outward into the larger ecosystem–starting with your backyard. Here are just four ways practicing organic...
When you walk across your lawn, do you feel any spongy or “bouncy” areas under foot? Or are parts of the lawn starting to show weak or thin growth, or pale colors? This isn’t uncommon in our area, and is often a sign that your lawn needs dethatching. While many people like to get out...
By Hannah Van Sickle Already dreading winter and the piles of snow that will inevitably accumulate in the coming months? Tackling a fall to-do list between now and the end of November–the kind professional landscapers employ to prepare their own outdoor living space for winter–is the smartest and easiest way to ensure your landscape is...
By Hannah Van Sickle live in the country and my lawn–for lack of better terminology–is green but not so grassy. In fact, this summer’s abundance of rain has actually caused a large, seemingly dead area in my front yard to become teeming with weeds and I am ecstatic. But does everyone feel this way? I...
By Robin Catalano Once our gardens and flower beds are planted and mulched for the season, and with outdoor parties just kicking into gear, many of us turn our focus toward lawn care, and creating a lush, green, welcoming outdoor space. While most people have heard the term organic in the grocery store, when they hear it...
